(PS4-33) The Interplay of Experiential Avoidance and Perceived Partner Responsiveness in Sexual Communication and Satisfaction

Sexual communication (SC) is essential to sexual and relationship well-being. Open discussions help partners create mutually pleasurable sexual repertoires, establish safety, and set boundaries (Coffelt & Hess, 2014), while avoiding SC harms sexual well-being (MacNeil & Byers, 2009). Despite its importance, SC is avoided more than nonsexual communication due to self-threat concerns (e.g., fear of rejection) and hesitancy to experience negative emotions (e.g., shame). This work examines how SC influences sexual satisfaction by bridging literatures on perceived partner responsiveness (PPR; feeling cared for, understood, and validated) and experiential avoidance (EA; unwillingness to experience distressing internal experiences). PPR is linked to positive sexual outcomes, yet SC’s role in this process, particularly regarding EA, remains unexplored despite PPR’s relevance to emotional safety and buffering against sexual insecurities (Reis et al., 2004).

Data were collected from an online sample of 353 individuals in relationships. First, we replicated previous findings by Reyes and Clark (2024), examining whether perceptions of SC mediate the relationship between PPR and sexual satisfaction using a larger sample and better validated self-report measures. PROCESS Model 4 (SPSS) supported a significant partial mediation: greater PPR was associated with higher perceived SC, which in turn predicted greater sexual satisfaction (indirect effect: β = 0.039, 95% CI [0.024, 0.054]; direct effect: β = 0.075, p < .001).

To extend these findings, we tested whether EA moderates this mediation using PROCESS Model 8. Results indicated a significant interaction (β = 0.004, p = .022), such that individuals high in EA rely more on PPR when engaging in SC, whereas those low in avoidance maintain a more stable communication pattern regardless of their partner’s responsiveness. However, EA did not significantly moderate the overall mediation effect, suggesting that while avoidance influences initial disclosure decisions, once SC occurs, its benefits for sexual satisfaction remain consistent across avoidance levels. Individuals with higher EA require more reassurance from their partner before engaging in SC, whereas those lower in EA communicate consistently regardless of PPR. These findings suggest that PPR buffers self-threat for those higher in EA.

Findings highlight the importance of addressing avoidance in therapy to improve SC and sexual satisfaction. If replicated longitudinally, these findings suggest that individuals high in EA may benefit from interventions such as graded exposure, cognitive restructuring (i.e., targeting avoidance beliefs and PPR), and skills training to enhance SC self-efficacy. Given that PPR appears to serve as a buffer, strengthening perceived or actual partner responsiveness may enhance SC. Though sometimes overlooked in CBT, addressing barriers to sexual satisfaction can be identity-affirming and aligns with evidence-based strategies for sexual and relational concerns in individual and couples’ therapy. Given the central role of sexuality and SC in psychological and overall health, this research underscores its relevance across clinical contexts.